Vanderbilt vs UPenn

[lalala123456]

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thinking of applying here among others, can only apply to limited number of private schools due to cost. pls share thoughts for each on wellness

 

[mdcomputerwiz]

Don't expect to be pampered like a special flower at Penn. It's rough at Penn, and you're basically shoved through the system. There's a big mental health problem on Penn's campus and the University doesn't do anything about it. Just for you to consider. Go with Vandy: friendlier people, better weather, better quality of life.

 

[Orthopeful]

Current MS2/3 penn student, so obviously biased but figured I could contribute. Having just watched the graduating class match, they do extremely well.

A lot of factors will go into your decision but consider what specialties you might be interested in and take a look at the match lists. Even average Penn students seem to do anything they'd like and to go wherever they'd like for residency.

 

[UnassumingToad]

Current MS2/3 penn student, so obviously biased but figured I could contribute. Having just watched the graduating class match, they do extremely well.

A lot of factors will go into your decision but consider what specialties you might be interested in and take a look at the match lists. Even average Penn students seem to do anything they'd like and to go wherever they'd like for residency.

Would you agree with that the environment can be intense/rough at Penn though? Is Penn face a thing in the med school?

 

[Orthopeful]

Would you agree with that the environment can be intense/rough at Penn though? Is Penn face a thing in the med school?

I think Penn used to have a little bit more of an intense reputation - the medical school has made tremendous strides even since I've been here (and in the years before I got here) to become much more receptive to student wellness initiatives. I think that is a great thing. The P/F preclinical curriculum is important in that, and the clinical responsibilities are actually incredibly reasonable during those years - weekends off while on surgery rotations, half-day Friday didactics to leave time to study, etc.

I think the enormity of Penn/CHOP can make some students feel a bit lost within a very large hospital system, but there are many willing mentors in every specialty that will take any interested student under their wing and become a lifelong support for them.

Some of the graduating MS4's have told me there is even less of a competitive culture at Penn because you DON'T have to get ahead of everyone else to land a superstar residency (perhaps unlike at lesser known schools). Look at the match list for the past several years - this year alone you have over 20 kids going to MGH/BWH/Penn for IM, 2 to HSS for ortho, 2 to harvard for ENT, 9 matching in derm, etc.

This is in no way a knock on Vandy. It's a phenomenal school, very well known, and likely has a similar reputation. I'm just speaking to the school I do know and hopefully clearing up a misconception.

 

[letmeinplox]

Upenn

 

[892002]

Vandy!!

 

[892002]

Thank you! Do you have stories on why you love vandy from a wellness/happiness perspective?

I don't know much about the med school, but I did my undergrad at Vandy and absolutely loved it. The campus is beautiful, and in a very nice part of Nashville. Vandy consistently ranks 1-2 in both student happiness and best living conditions. There's a lot of opportunities for research, and as the only major hospital in a 500 mile radius, you get a lot of tough/interesting cases.

 

[radiculating spines]

Vandy!!

@Taylor Swift you're just saying that because you filmed that music video there that time.

 

[Orthopeful]

Do you mind being more specific? What kinds of wellness drive? Are there particular events or mentors that make you happy at Penn?

So Penn recently had a huge mental health initiative both on the overall campus and at the med school, with free mental health professionals having private office hours weekly in the med school itself. Additionally, the medical school class is divided up into four "houses" with individual faculty and mentor supports across several specialties. Each house also has their own med-school wide wellness initiatives (field days, mentor talks about wellness in medicine, life outside of medicine, etc). They really have made this a focus and students seem very happy!